Newspapers have always been flooded with football stories about Countryside, East Lake and Tarpon Springs; needless to say that Palm Harbor has only made minor appearances.
Times have changed. This season, PHU has triumphed and made a name for itself, making the Playoffs for the first time in school history.
For a lot of seniors who have played their whole senior careers, they appreciate the support the school and community is finally giving them. “It’s really nice to have a good crowd every week,” senior offensive line Tyler Spaldi said. “We all get pumped up and when the crowd cheers we all get more into the game.”
Why is the team performing so well this year? Maybe it’s their all new, inspiring head-coach, Matt LePain, although, he won’t take full credit. “It’s not only me; it’s the kids and my great coaching staff,” LePain said. “They make sure the kids are prepared and so far it’s paying off!”
Paying off it is; with PHU at a 5-4 record and hopefully a 6-4 after Friday night’s game against Pinellas Park, history is truly in the making. LePain sees the same players, Billy Pavlock, Ryan Myers, Hunter Beam and Quetin Cummings, doing well in the Playoffs with the support of the rest of the team.
The Hurricanes aren’t frightened for what’s to come. “It’s excitement all the way,” senior quarterback Billy Pavlock said. “We just want to get out there and play.”
Depending on how the Playoff games proceed, PHU might be reunited with rivals, ELHS, for a rematch to last week’s game. “It’ll be the exact game,” LePain said. “Except, hopefully, this time we’ll be come out on top by one [point].”